Inspired by Ayn Rand's characters in Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead, penetrating profiles of both the innovators who move our world forward and those who seek to destroy the achievement of others John Galt, the fictional character from Ayn Rand's bestselling novel, Atlas Shrugged, has come to embody the individualist capitalist who acts in his own enlightened self interest, and in doing so lifts the world around him. Some of today's most successful CEOs, journalists, sports figures, actors, and thinkers have led their lives according to Galt's (i.e., Rand's) philosophy. Now, in I Am John Galt, these inspiring stories are gathered with the keen insight and analysis of well-known market commentator Donald Luskin and business writer Andrew Greta. Filled with exclusive interviews, profiles, and analyses of leading financial, business, and artistic stars who have based their lives, and careers, on the philosophy of the perennially popular Ayn Rand, this book both inspires and enlightens. On the other side are Rand's arch villains?the power-seekers, parasites, and lunatics who would destroy that which the creators and builders make. Who are today's anti-heroes, fighting the creativity of the innovators? Contains insightful interviews, profiles, and analyses of the individuals who have lived by a Randian code to achieve greatness for themselves and others Offers a probing analysis of those who seek to destroy or undo the achievements of others?from academics, pundits, and government bureaucrats to fraudsters who have wreaked havoc on our world Engaging and entertaining, I Am John Galt examines how the inspiration that is Galt thrives more than 50 years after publication of Atlas Shrugged. It will spark the interest of Ayn Rand fans everywhere, as well as those seeking a way to succeed in today's turbulent and confusing times.

From the Authors: How to Learn from Rand’s Heroes--The Fictional Ones and The Real-Life Ones

Author Andrew Greta From John Allison you can learn not only to live your own life in accordance with Rand’s values, but to teach them to others you work with. At Allison’s bank, Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T), every one of the 30,000 employees has been trained in Rand’s value system—from the executive suite to the teller line. Self-evidently, it works.

Are you looking for a concrete plan to put the value system of Rand’s heroes to work in your own life? Allison has written one for you, by identifying and articulating BB&T’s 10 core values. You don’t have to work there to put those values to work in your life. Do it on your own, and then put yourself through the ongoing process that all BB&T employees experience: Every six months, give yourself a rigorous self-evaluation based on how you’ve measured up to the values.

From Bill Gates you learn that you must love your work and devote yourself to it fully. When fate offered the opportunity to build the operating system that would underlie almost every personal computer in the world, Gates’s competitor, who was in a much better position to grab the opportunity, went on vacation. Gates didn’t. You might say he became the richest man in the world simply because he didn’t take a vacation on one particular day.

Author Donald Luskin You can also learn from Gates that you must not only be consecrated to your work, but always be on the alert to protect yourself from the envious parasites who will seek to bring you down. It’s not enough to build. You must defend. Gates came within inches of losing everything because he didn’t know that until it was almost too late. But you know it now.

From Steve Jobs you learn that your work is your own in every sense. Do the work you love, and love the work you do. Don’t think about the money—follow your passion, give it everything you’ve got, do it your way, and money will come. If it doesn’t, it surely wouldn’t have if you’d spent the same energies compromising. And don’t think about all the other people; ignore the bureaucrats and the naysayers, and shrug off the critics who think you’re a single-minded monster. If you have passion for something, there will be enough other people out there who will share that passion if you just wait for them to find you.

From T. J. Rodgers you learn that the passion and excellence you bring to your work can infuse your whole life. If you can do one thing well, then you’re the kind of person who can do things well—so you can do lots of things well. Do so, and don’t settle for less. Work only with people who are the same way. Don’t waste too much time being nice to incompetents—move on; surround yourself with people who care as much as you do, and who will work as hard as you will.

You can also learn from Rodgers not to be afraid to speak out. Sure, in today’s culture dominated by media all too eager to tear down people of achievement and fame, and in a political environment soaked in implicit and explicit obeisance to principles of collectivism, you can feel like a pariah if you speak up for freedom, for individualism, or even for achievement. But Rodgers gets away with speaking his mind, and so can you. His secret weapon? It’s the utterly guilt-free and fear-free confidence that he is right. That can be your secret weapon, too. Just don’t feel guilty about believing what you believe.